The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-29

His Palace at Athens-Proud of His Amer
lean Citizenship-His Family.


AS / approached DR.. Schliemanns residence, a
marble palace in of the most fashionable
streets in Athens, was struck with the number
of marble statues that embellshed the roof Of
the stately residence. They represented all that
was best ir Grecian poetry. philosophy, elo-
9uence and military vaor. The house is
rounded by a large garden, whore, in summer,
statues of Grecian gods and goddesses CLEAN
amid foliage of luxuriant beauty.
The door of the palace was opened by TALL
slender footman who spoke a very easy. although
not very elegant, French. He took my card
and invited me into the library / have seen
manv libraries-the Vatican, with its vast and
varied treasures of art and literature; the Brit
ish Museum, with Its immense collection
of ancient and modern lore; the Bodleian
Library, at Oxford, with it's unrivaled of
rare books and manuscripts. and other libraries
less celebrated-but DIR. Schliemann's library
surpassed them all in the exquisite harmony of
its appointments. The walls were hung with
paintings of rare loneliness. and graceful statues
adorned the four corners of the apartment The
book OF polished mahogany and
crowned by marble busts of Homer. Plato, Plu-
tarch, Sophocles and other eminent Greeks The
library is especially rich in Greek literature for
DR.. Schliemann is an enthusiast about ancient
Greek-the language of Pericles and Aspasa-
the language fnat was heard IN Athens when
Socrates fourshed and Alcbiades frolicked-is
the only language spoken IN the Doctors house.
He has named his butler Pelops and his cook
Iocasee.
Notwithstanding DR.. Schliemann's classic
tastes and surroundings, he is proud of the fact
that he is a citizen of the United States When
California was admitted INTO the Union ne was
a resident of that State and in that way became
an American citizen. He was sixty seven years
old at the time of my visit. lie short and
stout and wore white mustache and blue
spectacles. He spoke English very well, but
with a decided German accent He likes
meet his fellow citizens he calls Americans,
and is very liberal in his hospitality to them.
DIR. Schliemann's interest in Greclan antioui
ties was quiekened, when he was schoolboy, by
reading of the deeds of the Grecian heroes at
Troy as told in Homer's Iiiad. The poverty of
his parents compelled him to leave school at
early age. and he was placed in counting room
in Germany, where he worked hard for small
salary. From his small earnings. however, he
managed to enough money to buy few
books, which he read In moments snatched from
sleep. He studied Greek In this way. His in
teligence and attention TO business caused his
promotion and, in the course of time, he
became a partner in indigo house, where he
made large fortune He then determined
carry out his long cherished design of ex-
ploring the ruins of Troy. His work
upon the explorations have made the whole
civilized world familiar with his success. Dur
ing his excavations at Troy he kept three hun
dred men constantly employed, and has reaped a
splendid reward, both literary and pecuniary,
from his lators The ancient treasures dug up
at Troy and Mycen8 hare been of inestiznable
value to the historian and archaologist. and
many of them have been sold at fabulous prices
10 the libraries and museums of Europe and
America. Dr. Settlements income is $50, 600 a
year and he spends it with princely generosity.
have seen many royal palaces. but 1t is not
every king that can boast of so royal residences